Miley's bad behavior worth discussing

Published: Friday, August 30, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 3:56 p.m.

I've been debating all week about writing a column on Miley Cyrus and her, by all accounts, raunchy performance Sunday at the televised VMA show. So much has been said already, and to give her more attention is to feed a frenzy she is savoring.

Make no mistake, that performance was by design. Miley, 20, has attained more publicity this week than she ever did as a Disney darling. Parents were horrified, as they were when a young Madonna rolled on the floor provocatively playing a virgin bride on a 1984 VMA telecast.

Some have likened Miley's performance to the time — also televised — when a young Elvis swiveled that pelvis to the horror of parents. It seems so tame now, but there was a distinct cultural shift.

But the Miley moment is not just a pop culture talker and late-night joke. This invites discussions on larger levels.

Some background: Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus of “Achy Breaky Heart” fame. Several years ago, she was a superstar on the Disney Channel musical comedy “Hannah Montana,” a sitcom for preteens in which she played an ordinary high school student by day and a pop singer by night.

She and the show were huge. She became a franchise. Merchandise, CDs, movies, DVDs, clothes. She was a high-dollar commodity, a huge business beyond her control. It is an age-old story among child stars who become wildly successful overnight; milk that cash cow until it's dry and the face is not so fresh.

Thing is, Miley Cyrus is actually talented.

If anyone has the voice and charm to transition from kiddie clamor and performing artist, it would be Miley. Problem is, she did exactly that but just not the way we, the ones with Hannah Montana cups still in cupboards, wanted. In an effort to leave wholesome Hannah behind, she went to extremes, coming off as a young woman doing anything for attention.

For our family and millions of others, this is personal. Hannah Montana was a huge part of our daughters' lives. She was clean, empowering, funny and talented. Our girls love the performing arts, and I think Hannah played a small part in that.

So it is easy to think Miley Cyrus betrayed us in thumbing her nose at Disney.

But here's where I invite the discussion: I know Miley did not wake up one day and say, “From now on, I plan to be raunchy and sleazy. This is my own decision, so I'm off to buy a skin-colored bikini that allows the world to see much of my gyrating rear-end.”

She, I would guess, is an industry tool just as she was when she was Disney's profitable Hannah.

Miley also came from a showbiz family, growing up amid yes-men and crazed fans outside her door.

Perhaps this is what happens when you rarely hear the word “no.” Perhaps this is what happens when you grow up too fast. Perhaps this is what happens when your team always tells you what you want to hear. Perhaps this is what happens when those who profit from you are desperately trying to keep you hip, relevant and watched.

Is this Miley's scandal? Absolutely. But she is part of a system we created.

Talk to your kids about self-control, boundaries, good decisions and, even though Miley has our attention, avoiding attention that will haunt them.

In the meantime, we simply hope Miley doesn't self-destruct. She is not a role model, but I still see a talented young woman with the power to abandon the stripper pole.

<p>I've been debating all week about writing a column on Miley Cyrus and her, by all accounts, raunchy performance Sunday at the televised VMA show. So much has been said already, and to give her more attention is to feed a frenzy she is savoring.</p><p>Make no mistake, that performance was by design. Miley, 20, has attained more publicity this week than she ever did as a Disney darling. Parents were horrified, as they were when a young Madonna rolled on the floor provocatively playing a virgin bride on a 1984 VMA telecast.</p><p>Some have likened Miley's performance to the time — also televised — when a young Elvis swiveled that pelvis to the horror of parents. It seems so tame now, but there was a distinct cultural shift.</p><p>But the Miley moment is not just a pop culture talker and late-night joke. This invites discussions on larger levels.</p><p>Some background: Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus of “Achy Breaky Heart” fame. Several years ago, she was a superstar on the Disney Channel musical comedy “Hannah Montana,” a sitcom for preteens in which she played an ordinary high school student by day and a pop singer by night.</p><p>She and the show were huge. She became a franchise. Merchandise, CDs, movies, DVDs, clothes. She was a high-dollar commodity, a huge business beyond her control. It is an age-old story among child stars who become wildly successful overnight; milk that cash cow until it's dry and the face is not so fresh.</p><p>Thing is, Miley Cyrus is actually talented.</p><p>If anyone has the voice and charm to transition from kiddie clamor and performing artist, it would be Miley. Problem is, she did exactly that but just not the way we, the ones with Hannah Montana cups still in cupboards, wanted. In an effort to leave wholesome Hannah behind, she went to extremes, coming off as a young woman doing anything for attention.</p><p>For our family and millions of others, this is personal. Hannah Montana was a huge part of our daughters' lives. She was clean, empowering, funny and talented. Our girls love the performing arts, and I think Hannah played a small part in that.</p><p>So it is easy to think Miley Cyrus betrayed us in thumbing her nose at Disney.</p><p>But here's where I invite the discussion: I know Miley did not wake up one day and say, “From now on, I plan to be raunchy and sleazy. This is my own decision, so I'm off to buy a skin-colored bikini that allows the world to see much of my gyrating rear-end.”</p><p>She, I would guess, is an industry tool just as she was when she was Disney's profitable Hannah.</p><p>Miley also came from a showbiz family, growing up amid yes-men and crazed fans outside her door.</p><p>Perhaps this is what happens when you rarely hear the word “no.” Perhaps this is what happens when you grow up too fast. Perhaps this is what happens when your team always tells you what you want to hear. Perhaps this is what happens when those who profit from you are desperately trying to keep you hip, relevant and watched.</p><p>Is this Miley's scandal? Absolutely. But she is part of a system we created.</p><p>Talk to your kids about self-control, boundaries, good decisions and, even though Miley has our attention, avoiding attention that will haunt them.</p><p>In the meantime, we simply hope Miley doesn't self-destruct. She is not a role model, but I still see a talented young woman with the power to abandon the stripper pole.</p><p><i>Contact Dave Schlenker at go@starbanner.com or 867-4120.</i></p>